Meet the team: Joe Hobbs

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Meet the team: Joe Hobbs

Tuesday, August 8th, 2017

Technical Manager Joe Hobbs oversees the technical aspects of all our testing, sampling and reporting, ensuring our work is of the highest quality.

“I spend a lot of time on research and development in data processing and analysis,” Joe says. “My aim is to streamline reporting and interpretation and to ensure fieldwork is delivering high quality data at high production rates.

“I also often act as the geotechnical interface between clients and our project managers, to make sure we are taking the right approach to testing, to ensure results match clients’ requirements.

“The best thing about my job is that advanced in situ testing is constantly evolving and it is exciting to be at the forefront of technology with Lankelma. I like working closely with our highly skilled mechanics, engineers and field staff, who play a key role in making developments possible.”

While Joe does not spend a lot of time in the field, he says Hull is his “unconventional” choice of the best place to work. “I like the city’s mix of old industrial and grand Victorian character. We have done some great projects there, carrying out CPTs, dissipation and pressuremeter tests, MOSTAP soil sampling and downhole seismic testing – all from single track-trucks.”

Speaking of rigs, Joe says his favourite rig is UK19, the minicrawler. “It is unbelievably compact for a very capable rig, plus it’s the only one I’m allowed to drive!”

Joe says his most memorable job was in 2012. “We carried out a slope stability investigation for a house extension near our offices and we agreed that we could do some R&D at the same time. We produced a report with 22 CPTs, interpretation and a 3D ground model within 24 hours of receiving the invitation to site. Unexpected ground conditions would have been difficult to argue!”